Resorbable pouches for implantable medical devices

Abstract

Biodegradable and resorbable polymer pouches are described for use with cardiac rhythm mamagent devices (CRMs) and other implantable medical devices (IMDs), i.e., a pouch, covering, or other receptacle capable of encasing, surrounding and / or holding the CRM or other IMD for the purpose of securing it in position, inhibiting or reducing bacterial growth, providing pain relief and / or inhibiting scarring or fibrosis on or around the CRM or other IMD. Optionally, the biodegradable and resorbable pouches of the invention include one or more drugs in the polymer matrix to provide prophylactic effects and alleviate side effects or complications associated with the surgery or implantation of the CRM or other IMD.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(5) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 984,254, filed Oct. 31, 2007 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 864,597, filed Nov. 6, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Biodegradable and resorbable polymer pouches are described for use with cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and other implantable medical devices (IMDs), i.e., a pouch, covering, or other receptacle capable of encasing, surrounding and / or holding the CRM or other IMD for the purpose of securing it in position, inhibiting or reducing bacterial growth, providing pain relief and / or inhibiting scarring or fibrosis on or around the CRM or other IMD. Optionally, the biodegradable and resorbable pouches of the invention include one or more drugs in the polymer matrix to provide prophylactic effects and alleviate side effects or complications associated with the surgery or implantation of the CRM or o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The resorbable polymer matrices of the invention are capable of releasing one or more drugs into surrounding bodily tissue and proximal to the device such that the drug reduces or prevents implant- or surgery-related complications. For example, by including an anesthetic agent, such that the agent predictably seeps or elutes into the surrounding bodily tissue, bodily fluid, or systemic fluid, one has a useful way to attenuate the pain experienced at implantation site. In another example, replacing the anesthetic agent with an anti-inflammatory agent provides a way to reduce the swelling and inflammation associated implantation of the device and / or pouch. In yet another example, by delivering an antimicrobial agent in the same manner and at a therapeutically-effective dose, one has a way to provide a rate of drug release sufficient to prevent colonization of the pouch, the CRM or other IMD, and / or the surgical implantation site by bacteria for at least the period following surgery necessary for initial healing of the surgical incision.

Problems solved by technology

Post-operative infection is tied to three elements: lack of host defense mechanisms, surgical site and bacteria present at the time of device implantation.5 The general health of the patient (i.e., the host factor) is always important; however, since many patients requiring surgery are compromised in some way—and there is little that can be done to mitigate that factor—controlling the other two factors becomes important.

Consequently, when a CRM or other IMD needs replacement, the replacement surgery can become unduly complicated.

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